Corporate greed is a powerful thing, and if there’s one genre it has muscled its way into,it’s the multiplayer genre.
Due to the potential cash cow that a live service game can be, every publisher with cash to throw around has tried to make a new multiplayer hit, and to say that the resultshave been a mixed bag would be putting it lightly.
10 Best Drop-in/Drop-Out Co-op Games
Leaving in the middle of the session doesn’t feel so awkward now.
However, there are some games out there that perhaps catch more heat than they should, simply because they find themselves in the same arena as these microtransaction-fuelled titles, but in actuality, these games are better than the reviews would suggest.
So, to give you some insight into which poorly received games are actually worth dragging your friends into, here is a list of badly reviewed multiplayer games that are actually pretty good.
For clarity, we will only be including games that are marked as ‘multiplayer’ on OpenCritic, and have an aggregate score of 70 or less. Plus, we will be considering some games that are no longer available or are soon to be shut down.
11The First Descendant
Far From A Destiny Killer
The First Descendant
We will kick things off with what is easily the lowest-scoring game on this list, but equally, the game that probably offers the smoothest gameplay, highest production values, and most addictive core loop of every game listed.
The issue many had with The First Descendent was that it was a clear rip-off of Destiny in many ways, and one that offered an intense grind to try and lure players into the pay-to-win options.
However, despite some rather nefarious origin stories and paid options, the game itself is very enjoyable, with varied characters to masters, slick gunplay, seamless multiplayer, and a story that might not set the world alight, but definitely has its moments.
It’s not a Destiny killer, and it’s a game that does not respect your time. But regardless, it’s a game that has a lot going for it, and any looter-shooter fan is bound to get at least a few hours of fun out of this free-to-play title.
10Gang Beasts
Wobbly Battle Royale
Gang Beasts
Considering Gang Beasts is one of the most prominent names in the pick-up-and-play couch co-op scene, it’s always a little strange to cast your mind back and remember that the game didn’t get a lot of love upon release.
This was because the game lacks depth, and honestly, you’ll find no arguments from me to the contrary. But, if you’re seeking quick bursts of pure, unadulterated fun, depth is hardly what will move the needle.
What you’re looking for is slapstick violence, chaotic map variations, and competitive gameplay that can turn the match on its head in a second, and Gang Beasts has all of that.
It’s effectively like a drunken bar brawl dialed up to eleven, and while it does perhaps lose its novelty after a while, it’s initially a revelation and still one you will pop back to now and again for a wacky fight with friends.
9Brawlhalla
A Smashing Smash Alternative
Brawlhalla
Despite the monumental success of Super Smash, the platform fighter genre is still a very niche one that doesn’t get a lot of new games year to year. However, the ones that do pop up tend to be pretty fun, chaotic, and polished.
Despite what the reviews might have you believe, Brawlhalla is one of these polished and enjoyable Smash alternatives. Offering a wealth of fighters to choose from, regular updates to keep the game fresh to compete with rival multiplayer brawlers, and slick gameplay that isbalanced and relatively accessible.
Brawlhalla offers a more competitive and technical experience compared to Smash’s more party-focused approach, and that alone makes it worth checking out if you are dying for a new gang of fighters to master.
Not to mention, this game is free. So, there’s no reason not to dive into the action.
8Foamstars
Sudzy Splatoon
Square Enix is usually good value for at least one good live service flop a year, and Foamstars, at one time or another, was the next one lined up for the chopping block. However, unlike a lot of their ill-fated multiplayer games, I weirdly thought this one had legs, as it filled a gap in the market.
You see, Splatoon, the game this title was so clearly based on, is a Nintendo exclusive. So, this title allowed non-Nintendo fans to get their fill of Splatoon-esque gameplay, and the game was also pretty well put together as well, offering a pretty authentic multiplayer conquer-the-map bonanza.
The problem was that Splatoon is hardly a global phenomenon, and as a result, the knock-off was only going to achieve a fraction of what Splatoon managed. So, despite this one being a decent copy and a fun game, it never quite caught the wind and, as a result, sits on the pile of dead live service games that is ever-growing.
Defiant To The End
If we are including Square Enix’s live service flops, we might as well mention Ubisoft, as they are the champions when it comes to sending live service titles to an early grave.
We could have mentioned games like Skull and Bones, or Hyperscape that both had some good qualities, but for me, their most unfortunate flop was definitely XDefiant.
This was a shooter that shared a lot of similarities with the classic Call of Duty formula, but with the caveat of Ubisoft IPs making up the numbers on the battlefield and inspiring each map.
The gunplay was tight, the maps were well-designed, and the gameplay was well-balanced. And yet, this one still went down in a ball of flames, mainly because there is just no more room for another goliath shooter that just offers more of the same.
In terms of quality and production value, full marks for XDefiant, but that doesn’t guarantee you popularity, and this game will soon be a decommissioned relic of the past like the rest.
6Human: Fall Flat
Floppy Fun
Human: Fall Flat
Sometimes, you find that reviewers write off a game simply because it’s perhaps not aimed at them or doesn’t quite fit into the perceived bracket the reviewer envisioned before picking it up.
My two cents on the matter is that this is what happened with Human: Fall Flat, a gamewith intentionally cumbersome controls, a rather silly sandbox feel to each level, and multiplayer that only adds more hilarity to proceedings.
It’s not the most deep, nuanced, or well-structured gaming experience. But you can see immediately why younger audiences have flocked to this title. It’s pure, stupid fun, and there’s nothing wrong with embracing that.
It’s not graphically pushing the envelope; it can be unfair and frustrating, and the puzzles are hardly a true cerebral workout. But, even still, this game is a delight for those who embrace the madness of what’s occurring on screen.
5Secret Ponchos
An Ill-Fated Gem
Secret Ponchos
This one may be a little bit controversial, as Secret Ponchos more or less failed due to the fact that the game was released in a very poor state with terrible matchmaking, regular reports of save wipes, and much more.
However, I still feel it bears mentioning that when the game ran smoothly, this was one of the most fun, unique, and engaging twin-stick shooters on the market.
With fun Spaghetti Western visuals, vibes, and tight, top-down twin-stick shooter combat, it was the perfect blend of frenetic action, competitive combat, accessible gameplay, and chaotic fun.
Despite being in a working state these days, the western locales of Secret Ponchos are now ghost towns. But if you can get enough gunslingers together for a game, trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
4That’s You
All You Need Is A Phone
I was, and still am, a huge fan of the small cluster of PlayStation Link games that we got back in the day, which was essentially Sony’s best attempt to replicate the formula made successful by Jackbox, allowing anyone with a phone to play.
These games were all fantastic experiences, but none of them truly got the credit they deserved. I loved the likes of Hidden Agenda, and Knowledge is Power, but the one that brings a group together most is That’s You.
This game, which is incidentally, more of a fun social get-to-know-you, has you drawing, joking, and opening up to the group, leading to a series of enjoyable and often hilarious sequences.
It’s as close to Jackbox as you’ll get without actually playing Jackbox, and it’s a great equalizer, as everyone knows how to use their phone. So, this makes That’s You one of the finest party games around, and it’s sad it never got the props it warranted.
3Tricky Towers
Stack ‘Em High
We have seen many games try to recreate and tweak timeless gaming formats to varying degrees of success, and when it comes to timeless, there are few formats more famous and perfect than that of Tetris.
The simple act of stacking and disintegrating falling Tetriminoes is as addictive now as it was decades ago, and many would argue that it needs no updates or tweaks. Well, I disagree on that front, as Tricky Towers is a blast.
Tricky Towers effectively takes the stacking premise of Tetris, combines this with Jenga, and then has players compete to stack a tower as high and as fast as possible to get the win.
It’s just as simple, intuitive, and addictive as Tetris, but sadly, it never got widespread acclaim. But, if you’re looking for a manic couch co-op hit, you could do a lot worse than this one.
80’s Slasher Action
Dead by Daylight
I considered throwing Friday The 13th onto this list, but when I remembered how poorly received the global hit Dead by Daylight was, I knew only one horror-fuelled PvP game could represent the genre here.
Dead By Daylight is a game I have always seen as the spiritual successor to the PvP present in Left 4 Dead, casting players in the role of horrific monsters and survivors and seeing who comes out on top.
The main issue most critics had on launch was a relative lack of polish and a lack of content, but neither of these issues persists today as it’s a bountiful bloodbath of fun no matter what role you end up playing.
It’s still pretty grind-heavy, and the skill ceiling is high, but if you’re able to get past that, this is a love letter to horror fans and a brilliant multiplayer experience.
